System for combining liquids

ABSTRACT

An additive container for an additive potable liquid; said additive container adapted for screwed connection to a standard screw-top base potable liquid container; said additive container provided with sealing means adapted to change from a first sealed state to a second unsealed state by contra-rotation of said additive container relative to said base potable liquid container.

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for the mixing of the contents of a first with those of a second container and, more particularly for the mixing of one predetermined volume of a substance with a second predetermined volume.

BACKGROUND

Many liquids, whether they be for drinking, cleaning or some other application may be made up of a base liquid and an additive liquid. Frequently it is the case that such an additive liquid is of a concentrate requiring dilution with a base liquid.

An example for potable liquids is found in cordials where a strongly flavoured concentrate is added to water to give an acceptable drink. Another example of such mixing is where a relatively small volume of alcoholic beverage is added to a larger non-alcoholic volume of a proprietary drink.

Often the concentrate is supplied in a relatively large volume container from which smaller volumes may be decanted for addition to the water or some other base liquid to which it the concentrate is to be added. In the case of drinks, these are frequently consumed in situations or venues where the transporting of a large container and the decanting is inconvenient or undesirable. Especially, if it is desired to have a choice of various flavours or alcoholic additives, the multiple large containers required become impractical.

The optimum mixture of a concentrate additive and a base liquid is often determined by a particular narrowly defined ratio of the concentrate to the base liquid. Thus, without careful measuring, a desired ratio is difficult to achieve resulting in an unsatisfactory mixture.

Similar problems are encountered in situations where a particular volume of a substance in granular or powder form needs to be added to a base liquid.

It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Accordingly, there is provided in one broad form of the invention, an additive container for an additive potable liquid; said additive container adapted for screwed connection to a standard screw-top base potable liquid container; said additive container provided with sealing means adapted to change from a first sealed state to a second unsealed state by contra-rotation of said additive container relative to said base potable liquid container.

Preferably, said additive container is provided with a neck portion; said neck portion provided with sealing means comprising a pierceable surface affixed across the opening in said neck portion.

Preferably, said additive container is provided with a piercing collar; the bore of said piercing collar provided with an internal threaded section extending from the rim of said piercing collar to approximately half way along the length of said piercing collar.

Preferably, said thread of said internal threaded section is a selected one of any of a range of threads adapted for screwed connection to externally threaded necks of said base potable liquid containers.

Preferably, said piercing collar is provided with a piercing member comprising a disc releasably attached within said bore of said piercing collar by a plurality of breakable bridging lugs projecting radially from the periphery of said disc.

Preferably, said disc is provided with at least one projecting portion; said projecting portion provided with a sharp edge defining an opening through said disc.

Preferably, said piercing collar is attached to said additive container so as to leave an annular space between said pierceable surface and said disc.

Preferably, said piercing collar is attached to said neck portion of said additive container by matching external and internal threads on said neck portion and in said piercing collar respectively.

Preferably, said piercing collar is attached to said neck portion of said additive container by ultrasonic welding.

Preferably, said piercing collar is attached to said neck portion of said additive container by an adhesive.

Preferably, said piercing collar is attached to said neck portion of said additive container by spin welding.

Preferably, said additive container and said base potable liquid container are connected in a first non-communicating stage by screwing the externally threaded neck of said screw-top base potable liquid container into said internal thread section of said piercing collar so as to sealably engage the rim of said externally threaded neck with said piercing member.

Preferably, said additive container and said base potable liquid container are brought into a second communicating stage by further screwing said externally threaded neck of said screw-top base container into said internal thread section of said piercing collar so as to detach said piercing member from said bore causing piercing of said sealing surface by said sharp edge.

In a further broad form of the invention there is provided a system for the accurate mixing of an additive potable liquid to a base potable liquid; said system including an additive potable liquid container adapted for screwed connection to a base potable liquid container; said additive potable liquid container defining a volume in a predetermined ratio to the volume of base potable liquid in said base potable liquid container.

Preferably, said additive potable liquid includes cordial concentrates.

Preferably, said additive potable liquid includes flavouring concentrates.

Preferably, said additive potable liquid includes alcoholic beverages.

Preferably, said base potable liquid is water.

Preferably, said base potable liquid is one of a selection of proprietary drink preparations.

Preferably, a number of said additive potable liquid containers containing a selection of said additive potable liquids are packaged together in a presentation carry pack.

In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method for the mixing of an additive potable liquid and a base potable liquid in a predetermined ratio of said additive potable liquid to said base potable liquid; said method including the steps of:

-   -   (a) providing said additive potable liquid in a sealed additive         potable liquid container having a predetermined volume; said         container adapted for screwed connection to a base potable         liquid container by a first screwing stage,     -   (b) providing sealing means within said additive potable liquid         container; said sealing means adapted for un-sealing by a second         screwing stage.

Preferably, said method includes the further step of providing instructions on said additive potable liquid container as to suitable volumes and specifications of recommended base potable liquids.

In yet a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method for the provision of multiple flavours of drinks; said drinks comprising any of a range of flavour carrying additive potable liquids mixed with a base potable liquid; said method including the steps of:

-   -   (a) Providing a selection of flavour concentrate liquids in         respective ones of additive potable liquid containers,     -   (b) Sizing content volumes of said additive potable liquid         containers to match selected volumes of base potable liquid         containers so as to adapt the ratio of respective volumes to a         desired strength of flavoured drink,     -   (c) Adapting said additive potable liquid containers for         two-stage screwed connection to said base potable liquid         containers,     -   (d) Providing said additive potable liquid containers with a         sealing means; said sealing means openable by a second screwing         stage of said two-stage screwed connection.

Preferably, said method includes the further step of packaging said selection of flavour concentrates in a carry pack.

Preferably, said method includes the further step of providing instructions on said carry pack as to suitable volumes and specifications of recommended base potable liquids.

In still a further broad form of the invention there is provided a system for the adding of the contents of a first container to the contents of a second container; said system comprising a collar adapted for connection to respective necks of said first and said second container; said system further comprising a pierceable seal.

Preferably, said first container contains an additive substance.

Preferably, said additive substance is a liquid.

Preferably, said additive substance is in powder or granular form.

Preferably, said second container contains a base liquid.

Preferably, said first container is provided with said pierceable seal affixed to the opening of said container.

Preferably, said pierceable seal is located within said collar.

Preferably, said collar comprises a lower portion and an upper portion.

Preferably, said collar is provided with an internal thread extending into at least a first end of said collar.

Preferably, said internal thread is adapted to allow said collar to receive an external thread of said base liquid container.

Preferably, said collar is further provided with an internal thread at a second end of said collar.

Preferably, said lower portion and said upper portion are provided with outer rims; said outer rims so formed as to snap-fit together.

Preferably, said collar is provided with a seal piercing member.

Preferably, said seal piercing member is in the form of a tubular section retained within said collar by radially disposed friable lugs.

Preferably, said seal piercing member is retained within said upper portion of said collar.

Preferably, said seal piercing member is provided with an angled rim; said rim formed with a sharp edge adapted for piercing said pierceable seal.

Preferably, said collar is attached to said first container during manufacture and filling of said first container with said additive substance.

Preferably, said collar is screwed by said internal thread at said second end to an external thread provided at a neck portion of said first container.

Preferably, said collar is attached to a neck portion of said first container by adhesive means.

Preferably, said tubular section is adapted to fit within the bore of a neck portion of said second container.

Preferably, said piercing member is retained within said collar by friable connections.

Preferably, said friable connections comprise a plurality of radially disposed lugs extending between the outer surface of said tubular portion and an inner surface of said collar.

Preferably, a rim portion of a neck opening of said second container comes into contact with said friable connections when said second container is screwed into said first end of said collar at a first stage of use.

Preferably, further screwing of said second container into said collar urges said rim portion against said friable connection so as to detach said piercing member; said sharp edge of said piercing member projecting through said pierceable seal to provide communication between contents of respective first and second containers.

In still a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method for interconnecting a first and second container so as to allow transfer of contents from said first container to said second container by means of a connecting collar; said method including the steps of;

-   -   (e) providing said first container with a collar and a         pierceable seal,     -   (f) screwing said collar with said first container to a threaded         neck portion of said second container,     -   (g) screwing said collar and said first container sufficiently         onto said second container to cause a piercing member within         said collar to pierce said pierceable seal.

In a still further broad form of the invention there is provided a method for interconnecting a first and second container so as to allow transfer of contents from said first container to said second container by means of a connecting collar; said method including the steps of;

-   -   (a) providing a collar internally threaded at first and second         ends adapted for screwed connection at respective said first and         second ends of first and second containers; said collar provided         with a pierceable seal and a piercing member,     -   (b) screwing said collar to said first container,     -   (c) inverting said first container and screwing said collar and         said first container to said second container,     -   (d) screwing said first container and said collar sufficiently         onto said second container to urge said piercing member to         pierce said pierceable seal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectioned side elevation view of an additive substance container according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows the additive substance container of FIG. 1 when connected to a base liquid container in a first sealed position.

FIG. 3 shows the additive substance container and base container of FIG. 2 when in a second mixing position.

FIG. 4 shows views of a piercing collar according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectioned side elevation view of an additive substance container according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectioned view of an additive container and piercing collar attached to a base liquid container prior to transfer of the contents of the additive container to the base liquid container according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectioned view of a piercing collar for the mixing of an additive substance to a base liquid container according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Preferred Embodiment

With reference to FIG. 1, in a first preferred embodiment of a system for combining liquids according to the invention, an additive liquid container 10 is provided in the form of a relatively small bottle 11 having a body 11 and a neck portion 12. Small bottle 11 is provided with a pierceable seal member 19 at neck opening 21 and with piercing collar 13. In this embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, piercing collar 13 is attached to neck portion 12 by lower threaded portion 25 during manufacture.

Piercing collar 13 is comprised of a cylindrical housing 20 provided at upper opening 14 with internal thread 15. Internal thread 15 extends at least part way from the outer rim 27 down the bore of piercing collar 13 and is adapted for screwed connection to the external thread of standard screw-top containers such as for example PET water bottles. The internal thread 15 of piercing collar 13 may be provided in a range of sizes to suit a range of standard screw-top containers depending on the application and type of liquids to be mixed together.

Piercing collar 13 is further provided with piercing member 16 retained in a first sealing position as shown in FIG. 1 by a plurality of connection lugs 17 which provide breakable bridging elements between piercing member 16 and the internal surface 28 of the bore of piercing collar 13.

Piercing member 16 is in the form of a disc with a projection 22 and passage 24. Central projection 22 is provided with sharp edge 23 defining the opening of passage 24 adapted to pierce seal member 19. While only one projection 22 and passage 24 is shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, more than one may be provided.

In at least one preferred embodiment of the invention piercing collar 13 may be provided with a protective sealing cap (not shown) which may be screwed into the threaded opening 14 and retained therein until use of the contents of additive container 10 is required.

In use the protective sealing cap (if provided) is removed and the additive container screwed onto a base potable liquid container 30 as shown in FIG. 2. Initially the two containers may be left in the position shown leaving the piercing member 16 undisturbed. Preferably in at least one embodiment of the invention, the outer face 18 of piercing member 16 is provided with an annular seal (not shown), which is adapted to retain liquid in the attached base liquid container 30 when in this first connected position.

The additive container may be formed of any suitable plastic but preferably of a plastic allowing of recycling, such as PET for example.

To effect a mixing of the contents of the additive potable liquid container and the base potable liquid container, the two containers are contra-rotated relative to each other causing the rim 31 of the neck 32 of base container 30 to be driven against piercing member 16 so as to break connector lugs 17. As the neck 32 of base potable liquid container 30 further advances into piercing collar 13, piercing member 16 is driven into annular space 29 as shown in FIG. 3. Sharp rim 23 is forced against seal member 19 causing the seal member 19 to rupture and allowing the contents of additive potable liquid container 11 to flow into base potable liquid container 30.

Second Preferred Embodiment

In a further preferred embodiment in which like features have been numbered alike with the addition of 100, piercing collar 113 is substantially as described in the first embodiment above, but is only internally threaded at that end 114 intended for screwed attachment to a base liquid container. In this form, as shown in FIG. 5, the other end 120 of the neck portion 112 of container 111 is attached to additive potable liquid container 111 after filling, by such means as for example a suitable adhesive, friction welding or ultrasonic welding.

Third Preferred Embodiment

In this embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6, an additive liquid container 211 is again provided with a pierceable seal 219. Note that in FIG. 6 the additive container 211 has been inverted and screwed to the neck of a base liquid container 233. Seal 219 may for example be affixed across the opening 221 of container 211 by ultrasonic welding or other suitable means, after the container has been filled with an additive liquid. Piercing collar 213 is preferably comprised of a first portion 214 and a second portion 215 for, but may also be formed as a single integral unit.

When formed as first and second portions as shown in FIG. 6, the mating ends 216 and 217 may be formed to connect together as a snap-fitting. Mating ends of the first and second collar portions may be provided with engaging lugs or castellation (not shown) so as to prevent the rotation of one collar relative to the other when in use. Alternatively the portions may be attached together by for example, heat welding or with a suitable adhesive.

Collar 113 is attached to the additive container after this has been filled with its contents. In at least one preferred form as shown in FIG. 6 the lower portion 214 of the collar is provide with an internal thread 220 adapted to mate with the external thread 221 at the neck portion 222 of the additive container 211.

The second portion 215 of collar 113, is provided with an internal thread 224. Second collar portion 215 may be provided in a range of threads to suit standard threads employed on the necks of containers of base liquids for which the additive liquid is intended.

Second portion 215 of collar 113 is further provided with piercing insert 226. In this embodiment piercing insert 226 is in the form of a tubular member 227 retained within the bore 228 of second portion 215 by a series of radially disposed friable lugs 229.

Preferably, the lugs 229 extend radially outwardly from an annular ring 230 to the inside surface of the bore 228 of second portion 215. The ring 230 extends radially outwardly sufficient to allow contact with the rim 232 of the neck opening of a base liquid container 233 when this is screwed into the thread of the second portion 215.

Alternatively, the lugs 229 are so formed that the friable portion lies adjacent to the inside surface of the bore 228 of second portion 215 so that a sufficient portion of the lugs 229 remains intact to provide contact points for the rim 232 of the base liquid container 233.

Tubular member 227 is adapted to slide into the bore 234 of a base liquid container 233 when the additive container 211 is first screwed to the threaded neck portion of base liquid container 233.

Initially, the base liquid container 233 is screwed into the second portion 215 of collar 213 until the rim 232 of the neck of the container 233 is in contact with the annular ring 230 or the friable lugs 229. With sufficient force, base liquid container 233 may be further screwed into second portion 215 so as to break the friable lugs 229, thus driving the tubular member 227 into contact with the pierceable seal 219.

The inner rim 235 of tubular member 227, that is the rim oriented towards the seal 219, is provided with a sharp edge and may be angled so that the sharpened edge gradually pierces the seal 219.

In use, a base liquid container 233 is positioned with its neck uppermost and its sealing closure removed as shown in FIG. 6. The additive container 211 is then inverted and screwed down onto the base liquid container until the seal 219 is pierced, thus allowing the contents of the additive container to flow into the base liquid container 233 and the contents of the two containers to mix together.

Fourth Preferred Embodiment

In yet a further preferred form of the invention, the piercing collar is substantially as described in the above embodiments, that is as a single integral item or as first and second portions attached together. However in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the collar is not attached to an additive container at manufacture but may be supplied as a separate item available for use in the transfer of contents from any suitable first container to a suitable second container.

The first portion 314 of collar 313 of this preferred embodiment is provided with a pierceable seal 319, so that when the first collar 314 is screwed to the neck of a first container, the pierceable seal 319 provides a closure for that container.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, where the collar is manufactured in first and second portions 314 and 315 respectively, which may be snap-fitted together, first and second portions may be provided in a variety of sizes and threads such that a selection of appropriate first and second portions may be made to connect the collar to containers having different neck openings and threads.

EXAMPLES OF APPLICATIONS

Any one of the above described embodiments may be applied for the mixing of one liquid with another. Additive potable liquids may include any one of a range of liquids including for example cordial concentrates, milk flavouring additives and alcoholic beverages.

A number of additive potable liquid containers provided with various selections of flavour concentrates or alcoholic beverages may be arranged together in a convenient carry pack. Such a pack of selected additive potable liquids may be taken to a venue such as a party, picnic or some other function where either bottled water, milk or proprietary beverages are readily available thus obviating the need to carry a selection of such additive potable liquids in large containers.

In at least one preferred embodiment of the invention, information is provided on the additive potable liquid container, or on a label affixed to the container, or printed on the carry pack, as to what volume of base potable liquid the additive potable liquid is suited for so as to give a satisfactory mix. In the case of alcoholic additives, such information may include a range of suggestions of proprietary beverages and volumes of such beverages for which the selection of additive potable liquids is suited. Thus for example a particular liqueur in a given volume additive potable liquid container may provide a desirable mix with one proprietary beverage in a 750 ml bottle but be better suited to a 375 ml bottle of another beverage.

The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Thus for example while the above described embodiments are in the main directed at drinking liquids, the invention may equally be adapted to the mixing prior to use of any two liquids to form chemical compositions for a wide range of applications.

Neither is it intended that the invention be limited to the mixing of two liquids so that the contents of the additive container may be in powder or granular form for example, for addition to a liquid. 

1. An additive container for an additive potable liquid, said additive container adapted for screwed connection to a standard screw-top base potable liquid container, said additive container provided with sealing means adapted to change from a first sealed state to a second unsealed state by contra-rotation of said additive container relative to said base potable liquid container.
 2. The additive container of claim 1 wherein said additive container is provided with a neck portion, said neck portion provided with sealing means comprising a pierceable surface affixed across the opening in said neck portion.
 3. The additive container of claim 2 wherein said additive container is provided with a piercing collar, the bore of said piercing collar being provided with an internal threaded section extending from the rim of said piercing collar to approximately half way along the length of said piercing collar.
 4. The additive container of claim 3 wherein the thread of said internal threaded section is a selected one of any of a range of threads adapted for screwed connection to externally threaded necks of said base potable liquid containers.
 5. The additive container of claim 3 wherein said piercing collar is provided with a piercing member comprising a disc releasably attached within said bore of said piercing collar by a plurality of breakable bridging lugs projecting radially from the periphery of said disc.
 6. The additive container of claim 5 wherein said disc is provided with at least one projecting portion, said projecting portion provided with a sharp edge defining an opening through said disc.
 7. The additive container of claim 2, wherein said piercing collar is attached to said additive container so as to leave an annular space between said pierceable surface and said disc.
 8. The additive container of claim 2, wherein said piercing collar is attached to said neck portion of said additive container by matching external and internal threads on said neck portion and in said piercing collar respectively.
 9. The additive container of claim 2, wherein said piercing collar is attached to said neck portion of said additive container by ultrasonic welding.
 10. The additive container of claim 2, wherein said piercing collar is attached to said neck portion of said additive container by an adhesive.
 11. The additive container of claim 2, wherein said piercing collar is attached to said neck portion of said additive container by spin welding.
 12. The additive container of claim 5, wherein said additive container and said base potable liquid container are connected in a first non- communicating stage by screwing an externally threaded neck of said screw-top base potable liquid container into said internal thread section of said piercing collar so as to sealably engage the rim of said externally threaded neck with said piercing member.
 13. The additive container of claim 12, wherein said additive container and said base potable liquid container are brought into a second communicating stage by further screwing said externally threaded neck of said screw-top base container into said internal thread section of said piercing collar so as to detach said piercing member from said bore causing piercing of said sealing surface by said sharp edge. 14.-52. (canceled)
 53. The additive container of claim 4, wherein said piercing collar is provided with a piercing member comprising a disc releasably attached within said bore of said piercing collar by a plurality of breakable bridging lugs projecting radially from the periphery of said disc.
 54. The additive container of claim 3, wherein said piercing collar is attached to said additive container so as to leave an annular space between said pierceable surface and said disc.
 55. The additive container of claim 4, wherein said piercing collar is attached to said additive container so as to leave an annular space between said pierceable surface and said disc.
 56. The additive container of claim 5, wherein said piercing collar is attached to said additive container so as to leave an annular space between said pierceable surface and said disc.
 57. The additive container of claim 6, wherein said piercing collar is attached to said additive container so as to leave an annular space between said pierceable surface and said disc.
 58. The additive container of claim 6, wherein said additive container and said base potable liquid container are connected in a first non- communicating stage by screwing an externally threaded neck of said screw-top base potable liquid container into said internal thread section of said piercing collar so as to sealably engage the rim of said externally threaded neck with said piercing member.
 59. The additive container of claim 6, wherein said additive container and said base potable liquid container are brought into a second communicating stage by further screwing said externally threaded neck of said screw-top base container into said internal thread section of said piercing collar so as to detach said piercing member from said bore causing piercing of said sealing surface by said sharp edge. 